Fresh warning on email scams

8.18.55pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Jul 2007

A stark new warning on email scams has been issued by Richmond Council after a Twickenham woman was conned out of several thousand pounds.

While the types of scam may vary, the emails usually promise the recipient vast sums of money to be collected by sending bank details and other personal information. However, the only people who make money are the criminals. In one of the most common frauds the Twickenham woman received an email saying she had won a significant prize in a foreign lottery. In such cases, the "winner" will often be asked for a fee to release their winnings. Only later they will find out the fees they have paid are for nothing as there are no winnings. They may also later find themselves the victim of identity theft and someone else has been spending their money. Another common fraud is known as the "Nigerian Scam". In an email the fraudster claims to have access to millions of dollars in a foreign account. The receiver will be asked to send details of their bank account and help transfer this money to the UK, for which they will be paid a percentage. The only transfer that will take place is of money out of their account and into the hands of the criminals.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said:??"If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. These scams play on our natural credulity and while the vast majority of people delete the emails, others will fall into the trap. The recent case of the Twickenham woman is a stark illustration of how much damage scammers can do, particularly once they have access to your personal details."